Part 2 of Professor Hartley’s letter to Publix…

Yesterday we shared the first half of a letter from Anne Hartley, a faculty member at Ft. Myers’ own Florida Gulf Coast University (Eagles throwin’ alleys!… ok, sorry, that’s the last link, we promise) to Publix’s Media and Community Relations Manager Brian West.

Today, as promised, we bring you the conclusion of Professor Hartley’s letter to Publix, which follows here below. As you’ll see, Prof. Hartley wraps up her letter with a question, and a pretty simple one at that. To quote:

Publix prides itself in its customer service, its high quality products, great value, and its social and environmental stewardship. Can Publix provide any evidence that its mission would be affected negatively by joining the Fair Food Program?

In short, Why not join the Fair Food Program? Why not support the very best hope for long-overdue farm labor justice in generations? What possible reason (real reason, or “evidence” in Prof. Hartley’s carefully chosen words) could Publix have to turn its back on an established, successful program for social responsibility like the Fair Food Program, a program that eleven other major food corporations, including Publix competitors Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, have already joined?

Prof. Hartley’s letter is full of questions for Publix, actually. Indeed, if anything, the letter is an invitation to dialogue, an appeal for Publix to go beyond its well-worn list of public relation bromides and share the real reasons for its refusal to help end farmworker poverty and abuse. Here is a list of the questions, in order, as they appear in the letter:

• Given the high level of cooperation by Florida tomato growers, how can Publix continue to view this as a labor dispute?
• What evidence does Publix have that it will be drawn into the labor disputes of other suppliers?
• Has the FMI [Food Marketing Institute] lobbied for more funding for labor law enforcement, or taken any other action to protect agricultural workers?
• Does Publix rely solely on the USDOL to audit growers to ensure farmworkers are treated fairly?
• Can Publix provide evidence that its “willingness to pay” has resulted or will result in more money reaching Florida farmworkers through the growers?
• Can Publix provide any evidence that its mission would be affected negatively by joining the Fair Food Program?

We look forward to hearing Publix’s response to Prof. Hartley’s questions (not that we’re holding our breath, of course, as Publix’s media relations department has proven that, if nothing else, it is quite adept at sticking to script).

So, until then, here below is the second installment of of Prof. Hartley’s letter. See what you think. We have our own thoughts in response to the letter, of course, but we will wait to share them until Publix has had a chance to respond:

Publix is an outstanding employer and a role model for other businesses. It excels at customer service, confirmed by the latest Consumer Reports supermarket survey, which ranked Publix #3 in the nation. It excels at challenging suppliers to keep costs down, which translates to better values for its customers. Publix is a responsible citizen in the community. These facts are not in dispute.

Publix’ current position contradicts its expressions of appreciation for the work of tomato pickers, and the value it places on relationships along the path from “farm to fork.” This position is summarized in four points.

• Despite Publix’ appreciation for the hard work required to get products off the land and onto their customers’ tables, Publix believes that farmworker wages and working conditions are not its problem.
• Publix does not want to negotiate with the farmworkers because this is not the way Publix does business. It negotiates with the growers only.
• Unfair and abusive labor conditions like the ones in Florida tomato industry are not Publix’ problem either. It is the government’s job to enforce labor laws.
• Farmworkers are the growers’ problem. Florida growers have to compete in the market like everyone else.

Publix prides itself in its customer service, its high quality products, great value, and its social and environmental stewardship. Can Publix provide any evidence that its mission would be affected negatively by joining the Fair Food Program?

Thank you for your time. I look forward to learning more about Publix’ position on this important issue. I am sending a copy of this letter to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to learn more about this issue from their perspective.

Sincerely,
Anne Hartley, Ph.D.

Meanwhile, check back soon for much more from the Campaign for Fair Food, including news of a BIG Wendy’s action (or two…) coming up in NYC, and news out of the White House, where a long-time friend of the CIW was just acknowledged for her invaluable contributions to the modern-day anti-slavery movement with a much-deserved Presidential Medal!